S. Samuel
Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West recently talked about his controversial decision to team up with longtime rap pal Jay Z instead of Damon "Dame" Dash during the memorable Roc-A-Fella Records break-up in the mid-2000's.
Although Dame is largely credited for believing in Yeezy, Kanye said the pressure had him siding with Jigga.
“The problem was with Dame his truth was more accurate and more closer to what mine was, but his technique was harsh for me as a young kid and stuff. I felt like a little bit more pressure. And Jay Z was a nice guy. And also I felt like I had that truth that Dame has in him. We the same. Me and [Cam’ron], me and Dame, we the same. But I wanted to learn this technique that Jay got of actually being likable. So, Jay Z know how to move in a room full of vultures. You know what I’m saying? As his little brother, I needed to learn that technique because I got something that God want me to give the world.” (“The Breakfast Club”)
Both Jay Z and Dame Dash met face-to-face and posed for photos together in early August.
The Roc was back in the building last night. After nearly a decade apart, Roc-A-Fella Records co-founders Jay Z and Damon Dash reunited at the birthday of their mutual friend and associate Chaka Pilgrim in New York City. The old pals were all smiles as they posed for photos together. “I don’t think there was anyone in that room last night that didn’t shed a tear or at least get emotional,” said Oluwaseye Olusa, who snapped photos of their reunion. After launching the careers of artists including Kanye West, Cam’ron, and Beanie Sigel, the music moguls parted ways in 2004. (Rap-Up)
Last summer, Jay acknowledged seeing Dash react to his Magna Carta Holy Grail LP.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Jay said when asked about Dash co-signing his new LP. “The thing, what we built, you can’t take that away so no matter what, no time or space — the love is still there. Because what we’ve done will forever be stamped in history. We created something that’s gonna go down forever. So I can only have love for Dame. I just don’t know where we are in our life, we’re not the same two men at that time when we gelled in that way. We were two different people. I haven’t seen him in a while. … [His publicized woes?] I can’t control everything. I can’t control the things in life. Of course if you see somebody going through problems, I have ultimate confidence in him that he’ll find his way ’cause he’s an amazing and smart guy — he’s a hustler and he’s highly intelligent, so I always root for him and always believe that he’ll find his way out of it. But I can’t control what happens in life.” (“The Angie Martinez Show”)
A few days prior, Dame boasted about Jigga’s latest solo effort.
“In the barber shop listening to jays new album….I can’t front… I still like hearing him pop shit cause I know he’s telling the truth…proud to be be a part of that..#bittersweet,” Dash wrote on Instagram July 5. (Dame Dash’s Instagram)
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Check out Kanye West’s interview:
